Would You Queue up for a Dentist?
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Have you struggled to find an NHS Dentist?
Hundreds of people queued up for over 3 HOURS so they could register with a new one that just opened up in Bristol.
I think all dentists and doctors should be obligated to take some nhs patients as well.
MelissaLee1 yea only if they got paid! Why would they want to want to work for free? It costs money to run surgeries!
Yeah I would if I needed a dentist, I'm fortunate and mines an NHS dentist and not too far away in the next town.
Honestly it's disgusting that the government have let us get into a situation were so many people aren't able to obtain NHS dental care, so many practices no longer accepting patients and private treatments are so expensive.
Sad times 
I would! You can't get registered with a dentist where we live, either private or NHS. If you need an appointment you have to phone the emergency number and hope they can see you. Can't even get my 5 year old registered.
MrsCraig It surprises me that you can't find a private one - they seem to always have spaces.
SamGoodship you can get a private one, but most of them are only doing one off treatments
I don't think it's right that anyone should have to go to these lengths, but if i hadn't been able to see dentist for a long period then yes i would have joined the queue. Fortunately I have a dentist , but know may people that can't get into see a dentist at all even when they are in pain.
I have admiration for all those Bristolians who queued to register for dental treatment.
I would queue, while I don't have teeth problems I would still like to have the occasional check and I'm already on the waiting list for 2 dentists who do a small amount of NHS work. I think I saw nationally 60% have access to NHS dentists and 40% don't and I'm in that 40% sadly, the south west is quite bad.
BonzoBanana It's good that you have been able to get on a waitlist, hopefully they have a space for you soon!
SamGoodship When I went on the waiting list it sounded like a couple of years but you never know. I'm still curious why the NHS payment system is so terrible and not attractive to dentists. Some people have built up horrific debts due to no access to the NHS and needing major work done. I think some people have gone abroad too and had botched procedures. I just want a general clean up and check and as far as I know don't need any work done. Maybe its because they get plenty of exercise.
Yes I personally would que to get a dentist. I had a brilliant dentist until a company called My Dentist took over an they were absolutely horrible. I've been on a waiting list for a dentist for quite a while now
Im literally now coming back from my dentist which is a 2hr train ride away from my home, in London. I live in Norfolk. I was with the same dentist for 20yrs before he left the NHS. The dental practice couldn't find me another NHS dentist. I was told to go elsewhere. I couldn't believe it. Never missed an appointment ever and they treated me like that. So the nearest available NHS dental practice to me is in London...2hrs away by train. This new dentist said that since I've signed upto his practise, he's now got people that are travelling even further to see him at approx 4hrs away by train. This government is a joke!!!!
annmonas Of course many have travelled abroad too but I guess that was part of a holiday too and they just benefitted from cheaper dentists in that country like Turkey etc. However training and certification is not as robust in such countries so there is a risk.
I really think the NHS should really re-assess what they should and shouldn't pay for if they have lower resources. Dentistry is far less expensive than many hospital procedures and its not like NHS dentistry is free its subsidised only for most people.
There is a massive difference between nhs and private dentistry. NHS dentists get 10 mins for checkups, and private dentists spend 45 minutes on checkups. You get what you pay for ! They do amalgam fillings on NHS, 4 -5 fillings in 30 mins as they do 10 fillings or 1 filling, and they get paid the same! If the government abuses professionals, they won't work for them!! Simple as that. My private dentist spends 1 hr on 1 white filling, and it's perfection!
NazNeen That's not a blanket rule, it will depend on the practice. I've been private for a while (finally got on NHS now) and the private appointments were 20 minutes, the nhs ones at my last practise were also 20 minutes.
I've also had 2 white fillings lately privately and both were done brilliantly in 30 minutes with a cleaning too.
NazNeen I was forced to go Private when my dentist stopped doing NHS after 10 years of being with them , it was a choice of pay up or leave. I stayed but have to say the Private care is absolutely no different to when I was NHS, checkups take 5-10 mins still queuing in the waiting room, dentist always running late , with regards to fillings I was always given the option when I was NHS with the White costing more.
YES if it means ill finally get a proper check up. if you ring the emergency dentist they only look at the tooth thats bothering you.
If we ever get any NHS dentists in Plymouth again then yes I would queue. The Government are just interested so its not going to happen
Probably desperate... I've heard of man yanking his tooth out due to not being able to see his dentist.. poor guy must have been in agony
I am probably very naughty as I have not been to the dentist for many years. It is my worse fear, give me a spider or snake instead and I can’t stand them either.
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